KARACHI: A 30 to 40 per cent drop in local peanut crop encouraged traders to bring it from India to meet demand this winter, claimed traders.

Resultantly the overall dry fruit import figures in the first four months of this fiscal year rose to 62,735 tonnes ($34 million) in July-October 2014-2015 as compared to 32,967 tonnes ($27m) in same period last fiscal year, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) data suggested.

Total imports in 2013-14 climbed to 142,488 tonnes ($104.5m) as compared to 106,224 tonnes ($82m) in 2012-13, showing 34pc jump in quantity and 27pc in value. Per tonne average value in 2013-14 comes to $729 as compared to $771 in 2012-13.

The increase in quantity was 90pc while value rose by 26.5pc. The average per tonne price in July-October 2014-15 comes to $541 per tonne as compared to $819 per tonne prevailing in the same period last financial year.

Haroon Agar, a leading importer, said that around 400 containers (19 tonnes each) of Indian peanuts arrived in Karachi and Lahore in the last one and a half months.

The wholesale price of Indian peanuts is Rs107 per kg. The wholesale rate of Parachinar peanuts is Rs 175 per kg, same as of last year while the rate of Sukkur variety rose to Rs150 per kg from Rs118 per kg last year.

“I have brought around 100 containers of peanuts from India,” he said, anticipating more imports.

“Around 90pc order from India has landed. Tanzania holds 10pc share in imports,” Agar added.

Some other nuts like American almond, cashew nuts, raisins, pistachio, etc. arrive through informal channels.

Normal quality Iranian pistachio (unsalted) carries a wholesale price of Rs1,050-1,150 per kg while good quality is available at Rs1,350 per kg. Its price has plunged by Rs50 per kg over a year and may dip further by Rs50-100 per kg due to the devaluation of Irani riyal.

American almond’s wholesale price is pegged at last year’s rate of Rs1,020-1,200 per kg. Wholesale price of chilghoza (pine nuts) came down to Rs1,600 from Rs 1,800-2,000 per kg last year. Around 75pc of pine nuts are local while the rest is from Afghanistan. The dealer attributed price fall to good local crop.

The price of pine nut fell down to Rs1,600 per kg in various markets from Rs2,000-2,200 per kg last year. Dried dates sell between Rs 140-160 kg almost same price of last year.

The wholesale price of Iranian kajoo (cashew nuts) No.320 ranges between Rs920-950 per kg while Vietnamese No.240 quality can be purchased at Rs1,050 per kg.

The wholesale price of kishmish (raisins round) plunged to Rs262 from Rs287 per kg, Sundarkhani variety to Rs525 from Rs600 per kg last year. Raisins are also arriving from Afghanistan.

Wholesale prices of akhrot (walnuts) have been under pressure for the last three years due to its export to China from Gilgit. Three years ago, Peshawar walnuts was priced at Rs400-450 per kg as compared to current rate of Rs900-1,000 per kg while Rawalpindi/Kashmir variety is now available at Rs1,125-1,500 per kg as compared to Rs750-875 per kg three years back. Exports usually come to a halt when snowfall blocks the roads bordering China.

Depending on the area, retailers are seen charging Rs1,100-1,200 per kg for American almond. Its another variety is being sold at Rs1,300-1,600 per kg in various areas.

Salted Kajoo sells between Rs1,200-1,400 per kg while in Empress Market Saddar its price hovers between Rs1,000-1,100 per kg. Kajoo is arriving from India and Vietnam.

Walnut of high imported quality carries price of Rs2,000-2,200 per kg which as claim it as new arrival in the market, while local quality sells at Rs1,200-1,400 per kg. The price of wall nut is almost same as compared to last year.

The price of pine nut has fallen to Rs1,600 per kg in various markets from Rs2,000-2,200 per kg last year. Iranian Salted pistachio is available at Rs1,300-1,600 per kg almost as of last year.

Witnessing no price change than last year, Raisin (Sundarkhani) is available at Rs2,800 per kg while round variety can be purchased at Rs1,200-1400 per kg.

Dried dates sell between Rs140-160 kg almost same price of last year. Peanut (Sukkur variety) is available at Rs240-300 per kg while retailers are charging Rs320-400 per kg for Parachinar variety.

Low dollar value as compared to last year also brought down the cost of imports.

Mohammad Mehboob, owner of Kallu Bhai Gazak Walay Shop at M.A. Jinnah Road said consumers got a relief in the price of pine nuts and almonds. However, the price of other items remained stable as compared to last year.

Retailers in residential areas charge 30-40pc higher for these items.

Published in Dawn, December 10th, 2014